I guess it's a group of German weather and ham radio enthusiasts who organized Blitzortung.org – lightning map Europe – thunderstorms and lightning strikes Now spread world wide. using a VLF receiver and GPS lightning strikes are identified and the location uploaded to the web in real time.
Europe map:
Blitzortung.org – lightning map Europe – thunderstorms and lightning strikes
Europe map:
Blitzortung.org – lightning map Europe – thunderstorms and lightning strikes
An a.m. radio will tell you that there's lightning in the area, but not precisely where.
On the Cessna 310 my son had there was a Bendix lightning "storm" scope -- it consisted of a concentric circle of neon bulbs which would illuminate to tell you where the strikes were coming from. It's not a pleasant experience to be in a thunderstorm, or anywhere near one in a small aircraft, even something like a 310.
On the Cessna 310 my son had there was a Bendix lightning "storm" scope -- it consisted of a concentric circle of neon bulbs which would illuminate to tell you where the strikes were coming from. It's not a pleasant experience to be in a thunderstorm, or anywhere near one in a small aircraft, even something like a 310.
Nice gadget.
I don't think I've ever used the word Pleasant to describe a thunderstorm even when I'm on the ground. This idea of leaving an AM radio hooked up to a computer sounds kinda crazy to me.
Usually you want to leave computers turned off and radios unplugged from their antennas.
I believe it was the Charles Wenzel/Wenzel Associates website that had a couple of lightning detector schematics, for those interested.
From a US PBS TV science show NOVA transcription:
"Across the world, over 2,000 lighting bolts flash every minute"
At the Edge of Space
Can scientists unravel the mysterious phenomena that lurk between Earth and space?
Aired June 18, 2014 on PBS
Program Description
Between the blue sky above and the infinite blackness beyond lies a frontier that scientists have only just begun to investigate. In "At the Edge of Space," NOVA takes viewers on a spectacular exploration of the Earth-space boundary that's home to some of nature's most puzzling and alluring phenomena: the shimmering aurora, streaking meteors, and fleeting flashes that shoot upwards from thunderclouds, known as sprites. Only discovered in 1989, sprites have eluded capture because they exist for a mere split-second—40-times faster than an eye blink. NOVA rides with scientists in a high-flying weather observation plane on a hunt for sprites, finally snaring them in 3D video and gaining vital clues to unraveling their mystery. Combining advanced video technology with stunning footage shot from the International Space Station, "At the Edge of Space" probes the boundary zone and offers an entirely new perspective on our home planet.
NOVA | At the Edge of Space
"Across the world, over 2,000 lighting bolts flash every minute"
At the Edge of Space
Can scientists unravel the mysterious phenomena that lurk between Earth and space?
Aired June 18, 2014 on PBS
Program Description
Between the blue sky above and the infinite blackness beyond lies a frontier that scientists have only just begun to investigate. In "At the Edge of Space," NOVA takes viewers on a spectacular exploration of the Earth-space boundary that's home to some of nature's most puzzling and alluring phenomena: the shimmering aurora, streaking meteors, and fleeting flashes that shoot upwards from thunderclouds, known as sprites. Only discovered in 1989, sprites have eluded capture because they exist for a mere split-second—40-times faster than an eye blink. NOVA rides with scientists in a high-flying weather observation plane on a hunt for sprites, finally snaring them in 3D video and gaining vital clues to unraveling their mystery. Combining advanced video technology with stunning footage shot from the International Space Station, "At the Edge of Space" probes the boundary zone and offers an entirely new perspective on our home planet.
NOVA | At the Edge of Space
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